Seeing the Muller's Barbets on a Taipei ecological trip

The summer time is the reproduction period for some wild birds in Taiwan. When you walk in the forest and watch the trees carefully, you may easily find bird nests. Some birds' nests are made of grasses and tree branches, while some birds build their nests in a hole of tree trunks, such as Muller's Barbets (Megalaima oorti).
Muller Barbet (五色鳥) is of the woodpecker category and its body is in five different colors including green, red, yellow, blue, black. Therefore, it is also called the five-colored bird.

Two weeks ago, I went to the Taipei Botanical Garden one morning to see the blossom lotus. I found a Muller's Barbet nest on a tree just beside the lotus pool and several photographers surrounding the tree.

They told me that they were waiting to take a photo of the mother Muller's Barbet feeding her babies. I saw a baby muller's barbet stretch his head out of the hole of his nest to explore the world while waiting for his mother to bring food back. I stayed there for about half an hour, but no mother Muller's Barbet flew back. Maybe there were too many people there that scared the mother Muller's Barbet.

The Muller's Barbet's reproduction period begins in March to late of August; June and July are the reproductive peak. It is estimated that since incubation, nurturing young fledgling to leave the nest needs at least one month.

The Muller's Barbet is monogamous. During incubation period, the female Muller's Barbet stays in the nest to incubate eggs, while the male Muller's Barbet will be responsible for searching for food to feed the female until the baby birds hatch.

After that, the male and female birds will go out together to search for food to feed their young. The frequency of feeding time is about 15-20 minutes in the morning a few hours after sunrise. Fruits and insects are the main food for baby Muller's Barbets.

Muller's Barbet is an endemic subspecies and a common resident of Taiwan. They prefer to stay in low-elevation hills and in dense, broad-leaved forests. In Taipei, Muller's Barbets can easily be found in most public parks and mountains surrounding the city. As long as you can trace the sound of “grunt, grunt ….” you won't miss the beautiful bird.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/travel/taiwan-north/taipei/2009/08/03/218905/Seeing-the.htm

Lavender and tea on the outskirts of Hsinchu - The China Post

Lavender and tea on the outskirts of Hsinchu - The China Post

2008 New Year

I spend almost 800USD to rent this RV for my one week New Year holiday. I booking Cruise American on internet and the location is in the Woodbridge. VA.
My plan is drive through the North Carolina, first stop is visit Ray's parents. So from 95 head South, we stop at one of KOA Camping Ground on Rockt Mount. The owner was an US Navy officer retired.
Second Day, We drive 64 head West and stop at Red Oak, this is third time I visit Ray's parents.
Third Day, we drive through Raleigh and have horse riding at Pittsboro.
Fourth Day, visit Museum of the Cherokee Indian and have a hotsprings.
Fifth Day, drive 81 back to DC area.

Taiwan Tea and Coffee Tours Package
If you have decided to go to Taiwan, I would like to offer you the 11 days itinerary as below.

National Palace Museum, Tea and Coffee Farm, Night Market, Hot Springs for 11 days.

Taipei County/Wenshen(Northern Taiwan)
Altitude: 500-800 meters Rainfall: Over 2,300 mm
Pao-Chong Tea farm
Taipei City/Mucha(Northern Taiwan)
Altitude: 200-500 meters
Rainfall: Over 2,300 mm

Tien-Kuan-Yin Tea farm
Hsin-Chu County/Peipu(Northern Taiwan)
Altitude: 90-150 m
Rainfall: Over 1,700 mm

Oriental Beauty Tea farm
One of these specialties is "lei cha" a tea ground with a pestle that includes many more ingredients than ordinary tea. The waitress then brings a tray of ingredients including tea leaves, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and other nuts. The guests take turns grinding each of the ingredients to a fine powder. Once everything is ground, the waitress takes it away to add hot water to it. The finished product looks like a bubbling, green witch's brew. It is ladled into cups to which a mixture of dates, raisins, and unidentifiable chewy sweet things are added. Although the mixture looks a bit strange, it tastes delicious.

Chia-I County/Alishen(South Taiwan)
Altitude: 1,400-2,600 meters
Rainfall: Over 4,000 mm

Oolong Tea farm
Yun-Lin County/Gukeng(South Taiwan)
Altitude: 600-1,500 m
Rainfall: 1,500-2,000 mm

Arabica coffee farm
Coffee cultivation in Taiwan began in the 10th year of Emperor Guangxu, in the Qing Dynasty (1884). During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese planted 75 hectares of coffee trees on the Hebaoshan Commercial Farm in Gukeng Township, Yunlin. Thereafter, Hebaoshan was known by the name "Kafeishan" (or Coffee Mountain), a moniker that remains to this day.

Western Trip/May 9-23, 2008

Friday, 9 May 2008
Depart Andrews AFB for Hickam
AFB and check in at Hilton Hawaiian Village
2005 Kalia Road
Honolulu, HI 96815

Saturday, 10 May 2008
For Island Tour Polynesian Adventure Tours
Highlights include: Diamond Head lookout, Hanauma Bay lookout, Makapuu lookout, Waimanalo, Windward Coastline, Chinamans hat. And We have lunch at Polynesian Cultural Center.

Sunday, 11 May 2008
Free day to explore Waikiki, enjoy beach and nature activities.

Monday, 12 May 2008
I visit Sand Island Coast Guard Station and tour SHIP Jarvis and receive command brief and En route to Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Hickam AFB. On 1640, I Depart for luau at the Hale Koa and have a dinner at there.

Tuesday, 13 May 2008
This dat I visit U.S. Pacific Fleet,HQ U.S.Army, Pacific at Fort Shafter, HQ USPACOM, MARFORPAC. Busy day.

Wednesday, 14 May 2008
I visit Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, U.S.S.
Arizona Memorial VIP Tour and Navy Exchange.

Thursday, 15 May 2008
Depart for Nellis Air Force Base and check in New York New York Hotel & Casino. 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89109. 1-888-696-9887

Friday, 16 May 2008
Visit Nellis Air Force Base, 432 WG. and receive Thunderbirds Mission Brief.

Saturday, 17 May 2008
Depart for Black Canyon Rafting Adventure tours /Outside on the Colorado River for approximately 2.5 hours. Wear cool, comfortable clothes and shoes (waterproof shoes or shoes you do not mind getting wet recommended). Swimsuits may be worn, however the water is very cold. asn then I go to Hoover for Movie and Self Guided Tour.

Sunday, 18 May 2008
Depart for Grand Canyon National Park. On 1430vArrive IMAX Theatre for Grand Canyon
IMAX Film.

Monday, 19 May 2008
HIKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Do not attempt to walk from the rim to the river and back in a single day. Distance is deceiving. The clear dry air of the desert makes things look closer than they are. Take food and water on day hikes.

Dehydration occurs quickly in the arid conditions encountered below the rim. Pay attention to water intake. Hikers descend into the cliff-enclosed wilderness on steep trails that can be grueling – all downhill on the way in and all uphill on the return. Think of the Grand Canyon as an inverted mountain. Canyon hiking is the opposite of mountain climbing. The difficult climb and the thin air of the higher elevations come at the end of hike when you are tired.

Pace yourself, know your limits. Take it slow at first and avoid blisters by applying Band-Aids or moleskin to “hot spots.” Allow twice as much time for hiking out as hiking in. First-time canyon hikers average 1 mile an hour going uphill.

Ranger stations are located at Indian Gardens and Bright Angel Campground. Emergency phones are located at several points along the trail.

Distance from Bright Angel trailhead to Indian Garden is 4.6 miles/7.4 km one way
Distance from Bright Angel trailhead to Plateau Point is 6.1 miles/9.8 km one way

Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Depart Grand Canyon for Santa Fe.

Wednesday 21 May 2008
Depart for University of New Mexico via Old Albuquerque Trail and tours of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Eclipse Aviation, Old Town Albuquerque. On 1730 I arrive La Posada.

Thursday 22 May 2008
Depart for Jim Gordon’s private gun collection and Matteuci Art Gallery.

Friday 23, May 2008
Depart Albuquerque for Washington, D.C.

HARPERS FERRY/29 Oct 2007

Harpers Ferry witnessed the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War.


Harpers Ferry is a small town at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Shenandoah River, the site of a historic Federal arsenal and a bridge for the critical Baltimore and Ohio Railroad across the Potomac. It was earlier the site of the abolitionist John Brown's attack on the Federal arsenal there.

As Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia advanced into Maryland, Lee expected that the Union garrisons that potentially blocked his supply line in the Shenandoah Valley, at Winchester, Martinsburg, and Harpers Ferry, would be cut off and abandoned without firing a shot. But the Harpers Ferry garrison had not retreated. Lee planned to capture the garrison and the arsenal, not only to seize its supplies of rifles and ammunition, but to secure his line of supply back to Virginia.

Shenandoah National Park-Skyline Drive/20 Oct 2007

On Oct.20.2007 we drive to
Shenandoah National Park. This Park includes 300 square miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southern Appalachians. The park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. Two peaks, Stony Man and Hawksbill, exceed 4,000 feet. The range of elevation, slopes and aspects, rocks and soils, precipitation, and latitude create a mix of habitats.

Here also was famous for U.S. Civil War as what we call Stonewall Jackson and the Vally Campaign. The strategy of the Valley capmaign was to prevent McDowell from joining McMclellan on the Peninsual, to frighten Washington into scattering its effective forces on oddensive-defensive operations, and to defend Richmond from the west.

And Harpers Ferry is another story.

Texas/16-20 JANUARY 2008

I begin my visit at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Johnson Space Center focuses mainly on manned space flight. Astronaut training occurs here, and other projects such as the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station are planned here as well. Immediately after a shuttle launch, control of all manned missions is shifted to Houston Control at the Johnson Space Center.

I also examine the International Space Station’s long-range plans, current status, and protocols of working with allied governments. The International Space Station, the largest international scientific and technological endeavor ever undertaken, is taking shape in factories and laboratories of 13 nations around the world. Canada, Japan, nine members of the European Space Agency, and Russia are our partners. The Space Station is a permanent laboratory where gravity, temperature, and pressure can be manipulated in a variety of ways that are impossible in ground-based laboratories. This laboratory is designed to test advanced industrial materials and communications technology as well as perform medical research.

From NASA, I travel to College Station, TX. Here we will visit the George H. Bush Presidential Library and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. Established in 1995, the George Bush School of Government seeks to develop future leaders in government and public service. Additionally, the School undertakes research on policy issues related to non-profit, state, and federal agencies and international organizations.

I also travel to Lockheed in Fort Worth, TX. Lockheed is currently building the Joint Strike Fighter. During this visit, I receive an overview of the company, learn about the Joint Strike Fighter, and then tour the production line. This is my only opportunity to see a production line.

And finally, what would a visit to Texas be without cowboys and country music?! Friday evening you'll have a great cultural experience - a western rodeo. The Rodeo will be outstanding and action packed…I see lots of Bronco and Bull riding and a tremendous amount of live stock!

Saturday morning is the chance to examine the Reserve Force structure of the US military. Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base has many Reserve Component units from most of the Services. The organization of our Reserve Forces is very complicated, and most US military personnel don't even understand it. I probably will not fully comprehend it either, but at least I have a better understanding of it.

Saturday afternoon I visit the The Dallas/Ft Worth area, the largest metropolis in Texas. We will stay in Ft Worth, but visit the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas. Dallas is forever etched in the minds of Americans over 40 yeart old as the sight of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The assassination marked the end of the post-World War II era, and marked the beginning of our serious involvement in Vietnam. The next two decades were marked by race riots across the country, anti-war protests, and a general break down of American society. Not until the 1980's did America begin to recover.

Saturday night I eat at the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, and I also have the opportunity to take in live country music and two-step at Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest Honky Tonk!

NORTHCOM/STRATCOM/TRANSCOM/11-15 March 2008

I visit three unified commands: one regional and two functional commands. The OBJECTIVE is to learn more about U.S. military command infrastructure.

NORTHCOM is the newest US combatant command until AFRICOM fully stands up later this year.

STRATCOM has recently undergone major revisions by absorbing parts of former SPACECOM.

TRANSCOM is responsible for moving military resources over land, sea, and air.

They are located in the “heartland” of the United States. MILAIR is planned for travel to each of these three locations. I traveling through Colorado Springs, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; and St. Louis, Missouri. And end with a reception at Boeing in St. Louis and a tour of the “Gateway Arch” to the West before return.

San Francisco/6-11 November 2008

This is my first visit to the Pacific coast area of the United States, and I was seeing just one part of this area. If California were a country, it would rank among the world leaders economically. California is a large, unique and varied state. The state is known for its diversity in ethnicity, natural environment and climate.

I visited the Silicon and Sonoma Valleys, the centers of major California industries. Silicon Valley is well renowned for its cutting edge high technology, Defense R&D, and internet-related businesses while Sonoma Valley is known for its wineries and cutting edge research and development of unique wines and grapes.

Both regions, once considered the pastoral backwater of the nearby urban industrial areas of San Francisco and Oakland, are now the epicenters of their primary industries. Many people with entrepreneurial ideas came to and continue to come to these regions to pursue the American dream and from those dreams we’ve gained California wines, Apple computer, and the Internet boom (and bust).

On my two day visits to Silicon Valley, I was introduced to organizations which represent the driving forces of Silicon Valley’s dynamic evolution: Applied Materials, and Stanford University’s Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. In Sonoma Valley, I visit the Jordan Winery.

By the end of the field study, I was able to draw comparisons and contrasts between the two regions and those of previous field studies. During this study, I understand the conditions by which each industry was able to develop and flourish in each region; the relationship between academic-driven R & D and industry; how the high-technology and wine industries contribute to California’s economy; and how the characteristics of the ‘California culture’ differ from those of the other US regions as I previously visited.

New York City Field Study/14-17 December 2007

The U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Military Staff Committee (MSC) has two main responsibilities.

It represents the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the United Nations Military Staff Committee, a subsidiary body of the UN Security Council, composed of military representatives of the Permanent Five (P5) members of the Security Council. It also provides advice to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the staff of the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) on military and security aspects of United Nations peacekeeping.

The United Nations MSC was established under the provisions of Chapter VII, Article 47 of the UN Charter. Subsequently, the U.S. Congress passed legislation (Title X, US Code) directing that the Joint Chiefs of Staff assume responsibility for U.S. representation on the UN MSC.

The legislation provided that a permanent military delegation be established as a part of the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) to support this function. The Director for Plans and Policy of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J5) has oversight for the U.S. Delegation to the UN MSC and provides the primary interface with the Pentagon.

The MSC is broadly tasked with ensuring that the defense community is kept abreast of important issues addressed by USUN. The U.S. MSC is led by Colonel Mark C. Easton, U.S. Army who serves as the Military Advisor (Minster-Counselor) to the Permanent Representative and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Delegation to the UN Military Staff Committee.

Florida Counterterrorism Activities and Visits/5-9 February 2008

This is my first military trip. I visited three unified commands: two geographical and one functional command. Learn more about U.S. military command infrastructure as well as include a visit to a large US Port and receive briefings on the various levels of security employed.

CENTCOM is possibly the busiest US combatant command with both Afghanistan and Iraq in their AOR.

SOCOM is a functional command that supports the geographic command with special operations requirements.

SOUTHCOM is a geographical command responsible for Latin America (south of Mexico), the Caribbean and South America.

While in Miami I also visited the Port of Miami and toured the Florida Everglades, the only subtropical preserve in North America and a designated UNESCO site.

Philadelphia/17-19 February 2009

The Philadelphia is a family trip. On Saturday, the first day of the trip, I visit the National Constitution Center, providing a background of the historic document which forever changed the New World. About two blocks away, I visited Independence Hall where the history of the United States took form.

On Sunday, we go for a bus tour of Valley Forge Battlefield area. No Charge. This will be a combination of bus tour, museum, and shops. The Valley Forge visit will depart after lunch on Sunday.

Monday, we visit an Amish Farm, upon our return to Fort McNair. The Amish were a particular group of German-speaking people who immigrated to the United States, settling primarily in the Pennsylvania and Ohio regions of the Appalachians. While shunning some of the advances of modern technology, their resourcefulness is legendary and they have produced a unique farming culture.